On Tuesday, hospitals in Minnesota and Michigan reported a surge in COVID-19 patients. The beds were full of unvaccinated patients. Health care leaders warned that staff are being drained by yet another surge.
This week, Michigan had slightly more that 3,000 COVID-19-infected patients in its hospitals. Minnesota had nearly all of its hospital beds occupied. Both were ranked among the top 10 national virus hotspots, which is a rather unflattering ranking.
It “should alarm all of us,” Bob Riney of Henry Ford Health System in Detroit said about the hospital crush.
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The U.S. outlook has improved dramatically in recent weeks. There are now about 40,000 coronavirus hospitalizations, compared to more than 90,000. In the South, virus spread has slowed to the point that mask restrictions are being removed from more places.
However, there are pockets of the country that are experiencing surges, such as the Northeast, Rockies, and Upper Midwest.
Henry Ford Health and Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan reported 700 COVID-19 cases in their hospitals. The majority of these patients were not vaccinated. The positive test rates were above 20%.
Michigan had the country’s highest seven-day COVID-19 case rate at 503 per 100,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Minnesota was No. 2 at 490.
“All of us had hoped that we’d be in a very different place as we approach this Thanksgiving season. Riney stated that we aren’t.
Riney stated that front-line staff are discouraged by the increase in COVID-19 cases, particularly when vaccines are readily available.
He said, “These are the women or men that the community honored last year.” “Parades were held for them. They were hailed as heroes. … They haven’t had a break.”
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Jan Malcolm, Minnesota Health Commissioner, said that she is willing to expand access to the booster vaccinations by the end the week if it isn’t already.
Malcolm stated that booster protection is crucial and timely as we gather for the holidays and head indoors for winter.
A growing number of Americans are now receiving boosters. Arkansas joined California and Colorado in offering boosters this week to anyone aged 18 or older, rather than only to those at greater risk for COVID-19 or 65 and over.
Other areas of the South saw some relief from virus restrictions due to high vaccination rates, low numbers of positive test results, and other factors.
Louisiana State University recently canceled an indoor mask order. More than 89% of students and 79% staff have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
President William Tate stated that “We are moving ahead with confidence, but with caution.”
Social distancing and masks are now optional in Florida courthouses. Chief Justice Charles Canady observed that almost 70% of eligible Florida residents had been vaccinated, and that the rate of COVID-19 cases has dropped.
Orange County, Florida, which encompasses Orlando, no longer requires county employees to wear masks indoors. However, masks are still recommended. The local virus transmission risk was reduced to moderate.
Source: Fox News
